Spring Fling Rock Fest at The Pete w/Cage the Elephant; G. Love & Special Sauce Play Mr. Smalls (Fri., 3/25/16)

1) Spring Fling Rock AF 2016 presents a quadrumvirate of rock ‘n’ roll sure to alleviate your lingering winter doldrums. Cage the Elephant headline. The band began unassumingly in the college town of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Then their blues/garage rock amalgamation caught fire across the pond in England and soon blew up back in the States, propelled in no small measure by “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” the third single from their 2008 self-titled debut. They have released three more albums since, most recently 2015’s Tell Me I’m Pretty, which Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys produced. The album included “Mess Around” which reached no. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart. Also on the bill are Silversun Pickups, who are touring 2015’s Better Nature. The indie rock group hails from the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, where contemporaries Rilo Kiley also got their start. All the way from Oxford, England, come Foals, an indie rock quintet. They are also touring in support of a new album—2015’s What Went Down. Bear Hands, who have headlined Cattivo in Lawrenceville, open the show, which takes place at University of Pittsburgh’s Petersen Events Center. 7 p.m. 3719 Terrace St., Oakland. (CM)

2) Sometimes blues, sometimes hip hop, sometimes rock—G. Love & Special Sauce certainly run the gamut, and on their newest release, 2015’s Love Saves the Day, the Philadelphia trio delivers a smorgasbord of all their musical stylings, often all in one song. Just look at who’s featured; it’s not often where one can find Money Mark, Lucinda Williams, and David Hidalgo (of rock band Los Lobos) on the same record. Of course, G. Love & Special Sauce have always had some great friends. Love Saves the Day comes off of Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records, and the trio have also recorded with the Hawaiian singer-songwriter. That’s not to say they’re not an impressive group all their own. How else would they have remained a viable performance act over 20 years into their career? For further proof, check out their show at Mr. Smalls. As a special bonus, bassist Jim (“Jimi Jazz”) Prescott returned in 2014 following a five-year hiatus. So it’s the original lineup performing with Jeffrey (“Houseman”) Clemens on drums and vocals and Garrett (“G. Love”) Dutton on guitar and vocals. The Bones of J.R. Jones open. 8:30 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

3) Many people will remember actor and comedian Dave Coulier as Uncle Joey from the highly rated “Full House” TV series that ran on ABC from 1987-95. Coulier is also a recurring character on the new incarnation of the show—Netflix’s “Fuller House.” He was also the host of ABC’s “America’s Funniest People” for four seasons. Coulier is a sought after voice-over talent—having lent his expertise to such classics as “Scooby-Doo,” “The Muppet Babies,” and “The Real Ghostbusters.” He prides himself on being a comedian that the whole family can watch. Pittsburgh Improv, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m., continuing through tomorrow. 166 E. Bridge St., the Waterfront, Homestead.

4) Rick Jergel is co-owner of Jergel’s Rhythm Grille and lead singer in the house band, Fathertime. The venue, created to provide Pittsburgh’s northern suburbs with a solid concert hall and hang-out spot, plays host to local and touring acts, but Fathertime is no slouch when it fills in the gaps, bringing the heat with enthusiastic renditions of Top 40 favorites. They have a big fan club. There’s always something fun happening at Jergel’s. 9 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

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